Transfer assist members

ABSTRACT

A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of the layers being a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins, and polyester polyols present on a support polymer layer.

This disclosure is generally directed to transfer assist members comprised of a plurality of layers, one of which layers is a check film layer comprised of crosslinked aminoplast resins and polyester polyols on a polymer layer.

BACKGROUND

In the process of xerography, a light image of an original to be copied is typically recorded in the form of a latent electrostatic image upon a photosensitive or a photoconductive member with subsequent rendering of the latent image visible by the application of particulate material, commonly referred to as toner. The visual toner image can be either fixed directly upon the photosensitive member or the photoconductor member, or transferred from the member to another support, such as a sheet of plain paper, with subsequent affixing by, for example, the application of heat and pressure of the image thereto.

To affix or fuse toner material onto a support member like paper, by heat and pressure, it is usually necessary to elevate the temperature of the toner and simultaneously apply pressure sufficient to cause the constituents of the toner to become tacky and coalesce. In both the xerographic as well as the electrographic recording arts, the use of thermal energy for fixing toner images onto a support member is known.

One approach to the heat and pressure fusing of toner images onto a support has been to pass the support with the toner images thereon between a pair of pressure engaged roller members, at least one of which is internally heated. For example, the support may pass between a fuser roller and a pressure roller. During operation of a fusing system of this type, the support member to which the toner images are electrostatically adhered is moved through the nip formed between the rollers with the toner image contacting the fuser roll thereby to effect heating of the toner images within the nip.

The process of transferring charged toner particles from an image bearing member marking device, such as a photoconductor, to an image support substrate like a sheet of paper involves overcoming cohesive forces holding the toner particles to the image bearing member. The interface between the photoconductor surface and image support substrate may not in many instances be optimal, thus, problems may be caused in the transfer process when spaces or gaps exist between the developed image and the image support substrate. One aspect of the transfer process is focused on the application and maintenance of high intensity electrostatic fields in the transfer region for overcoming the cohesive forces acting on the toner particles as they rest on the photoconductive member. Control of these electrostatic fields and other forces is a factor to induce the physical detachment and transfer of the charged toner particles without scattering or smearing the developer material.

More specifically, the process of transferring charged toner particles from an image bearing member, such as a photoconductive member, to an image support substrate, such as the copy sheet, may be accomplished by overcoming adhesive forces holding the toner particles to the image bearing member. In general, transfer of developed toner images in electrostatographic applications has been accomplished via electrostatic induction using a corona generating device, wherein the image support substrate is placed in direct contact with the developed toner image on the photoconductive surface while the reverse side of the image support substrate is exposed to a corona discharge. This corona discharge generates ions having a polarity opposite that of the toner particles, thereby electrostatically attracting and transferring the toner particles from the photoreceptive member to the image support substrate.

In the electrostatic transfer of the toner powder image to the copy sheet, it is necessary for the copy sheet to be in uniform intimate contact with the toner powder image developed on the photoconductive surface. Unfortunately, the interface between the photoreceptive surface and the copy substrate is not always optimal. In particular, non-flat or uneven image support substrates, such as copy sheets that have been mishandled, left exposed to the environment or previously passed through a fixing operation, such as heat and/or pressure fusing, tend to promulgate imperfect contact with the photoreceptive surface of the photoconductor. Further, in the event the copy sheet is wrinkled, the sheet will not be in intimate contact with the photoconductive surface and spaces or air gaps will materialize between the developed image on the photoconductive surface and the copy sheet. Problems may occur in the transfer process when spaces or gaps exist between the developed image and the copy substrate. There is a tendency for toner not to transfer across these gaps causing variable transfer efficiency and, in the extreme, can create areas of low or no transfer resulting in a phenomenon known as image transfer deletion. Clearly, an image deletion is very undesirable in that useful information and indicia are not reproduced on the copy sheet.

As described herein, the typical process of transferring development materials in an electrostatographic system involves the physical detachment and transfer over of charged toner particles from an image bearing photoreceptive surface into attachment with an image support substrate via electrostatic force fields. Thus, an aspect of the transfer process is focused on the application and maintenance of high intensity electrostatic fields in the transfer region for overcoming the adhesive forces acting on the toner particles as they rest on the photoreceptive member. In addition, other forces, such as mechanical pressure or vibratory energy, have been used to support and enhance the transfer process. Careful control of these electrostatic fields and other forces can be required to induce the physical detachment and transfer over of the charged toner particles without scattering or smearing of the developer material.

With the advent of multicolor electrophotography, it is desirable to use an architecture which comprises a plurality of image forming stations. One example of the plural image forming station architecture utilizes an image-on-image (IOI) system in which the photoreceptive member is recharged, reimaged and developed for each color separation. This charging, imaging, developing and recharging, reimaging and developing, all followed by transfer to paper, can be completed in a single revolution of the photoreceptor in so-called single pass machines, while multipass architectures form each color separation with a single charge, image and develop, with separate transfer operations for each color.

Alternatively, mechanical devices, such as rollers, have been used to force the image support substrate into intimate and substantially uniform contact with the image bearing surface. For example, there can be selected an electrically biased transfer roll system in an attempt to minimize image deletions. In other electrophotographic printing machines, such as the color producing Xerox Corporation 1065 machine, the copy sheet is provided with a precisely controlled curvature as it enters the transfer station for providing enhanced contact pressure.

However, the interface between the image bearing surface and the print sheet is rarely uniform. Print sheets that have been mishandled, left exposed to the environment, or previously passed through a fixing operation, such as heat and/or pressure fusing, tend to be non-flat or uneven. An uneven print sheet makes uneven contact with the image bearing surface. In the event that the print sheet is wrinkled, the sheet will not be in continuous intimate contact with the image bearing surface. Wrinkles in the sheet cause spaces or air gaps to materialize between the developed toner powder image on the image bearing surface and the print sheet. When spaces or gaps exist between the developed image and the print sheet, various problems may result. For example, there is a tendency for toner not to transfer across the gaps, causing variable transfer efficiency and creating areas of low toner transfer, or even no transfer; a phenomenon known as image transfer deletion.

Image transfer deletion is undesirable in that portions of the desired image may not be appropriately reproduced on the print sheet. The area of the blade that contacts the photoreceptor will, in most instances, pick up residual dirt and toner from the photoreceptor surface. The next job run, which processes print sheets, having a dimension greater than 10 inches will have the residual dirt on the transfer assist blade transferred to the back side of the print sheet, resulting in an unacceptable print quality defect. More importantly, continuous frictional contact between the blade and the photoreceptor may cause permanent damage to the photoreceptor.

In single pass color machines it is desirable to cause as little disturbance to the photoreceptor as possible so that motion errors are not propagated along the belt to cause image quality and color separation registration problems. One area that has potential to cause such a disturbance is when a sheet is released from the guide after having been brought into contact with the photoreceptor for transfer of the developed image thereto. This disturbance, which is often referred to as trail edge flip, can cause image defects on the sheet due to the motion of the sheet during transfer caused by energy released due to the bending forces of the sheet. Particularly in machines which handle a large range of paper weights and sizes, it is difficult to have a sheet guide which can properly position any weight and size sheet while not causing the sheet to oscillate after having come in contact with the photoreceptor.

There is a need for transfer assist members that substantially avoid or minimize the disadvantages illustrated herein.

Also, there is a need for transfer assist members that are wear resistant and that can be used for extended time periods without being replaced.

There is also a need for toner developed images transfer assist members that permit the continuous contact between a photoconductor and the substrate to which the developed toner image is to be transferred, and an apparatus for enhancing contact between a copy sheet and a developed image positioned on a photoconductive member.

Yet another need resides in providing xerographic printing systems, inclusive of multi-color generating systems, where there is selected a transfer assist member that maintains sufficient constant pressure on the substrate to which a developed image is to be transferred, and to substantially eliminate air gaps between the sheet and the photoconductor in that the presence of air gaps can cause air breakdown in the transfer field.

Further, there is a need for transfer assist members that enable suitable and full contact of the developed toner image present on a photoconductor and a substrate to which the developed image is to be transferred.

Additionally, there is a need for transfer assist members that contain durable compositions that can be economically and efficiently manufactured, and where the amount of energy consumed is reduced.

Yet additionally, there is a need for a multilayered transfer assist member that includes as one layer a check film on the side exposed to a dicorotron/corona, and which member possesses excellent resistance characteristics.

Also, there is a need for transfer assist members where the check film layer can be generated roll to roll by economical extrusion processing.

Further, there is a need for transfer assist members with a combination of excellent durability that exert sufficient constant pressure on a substrate and permit the substrate to fully contact the toner developed image on a photoconductor, which members are to provide mechanical pressure about 20 percent of its function and electrostatic pressure/tailoring about 80 percent of its function, and where complete transfer to a sheet of a developed image contained a photoconductor results, such as for example, about 90 to about 100 percent, from about 90 to about 98 percent, from about 95 to about 99 percent, and in embodiments about 100 percent of the toner image is transferred to the sheet or a substrate, and wherein blurred final images are minimized or avoided.

Moreover, there is a need for composite transfer assist blades that overcome or minimize the problems associated with a single component blade, as a single component blade in order to be flexible enough to prevent image damage does not provide enough contact force to the back of the sheet to enable complete image transfer giving rise to transfer deletions and color shift.

Yet, there is another need for transfer assist members that include check films, and which members are useful in electrophotographic imaging apparatuses, including digital printing where the latent image is produced by a modulated laser beam, or ionographic printing where charge is deposited on a charge retentive surface in response to electronically generated or stored images.

These and other needs are achievable in embodiments with the transfer assist members and components thereof disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of said layers being a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyol resins on a polymer support layer.

Also disclosed is a composite toner transfer assist blade comprising a plurality of bonded layers and a bonded check film layer comprised of a partially conductive crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer contained on a polymer layer substrate of a polyalkylene terephthalate, a polyester, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the top layer of said plurality of layers is a wear resistant layer, wherein said aminoplast resin is selected from the group consisting of a melamine formaldehyde resin, a urea formaldehyde resin, a benzoguanamine formaldehyde resin, and a glycoluril formaldehyde resin, and said polyester polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene adipate diol, polyethylene adipate-co-butylene adipate diol, polybutylene adipate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene adipate)diol, polyhexene adipate diol, polyethylene succinate diol, polyethylene succinate-co-butylene succinate diol, polybutylene succinate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene succinate)diol, polyhexene succinate diol, polyethylene phthalate diol, polyethylene phthalate-co-butylene phthalate diol, polybutylene phthalate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene phthalate)diol, polyhexene phthalate diol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) adipate polyol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) succinate polyol, or poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) phthalate polyol, and mixtures thereof, further including conductive components, acid catalysts, silicas, plasticizers, fluoropolymer particles of tetrafluoroethylene polymers, trifluorochloroethylene polymers, hexafluoropropylene polymers, vinyl fluoride polymers, vinylidene fluoride polymers, difluorodichloroethylene polymers polysiloxane polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Further disclosed is a xerographic process for providing substantially uniform contact between a copy substrate and a toner developed image located on an imaging member, comprising a toner transfer flexible assist blade that comprises a plurality of adhesive bonded layers, wherein said flexible transfer assist blade is adapted to move from a non-operative position spaced from the imaging member to an operative position in contact with the copy substrate on the imaging member, applying pressure against the copy substrate in a direction toward the imaging member, and wherein said plurality of layers comprise a wear resistant layer, and a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols present on a polymer substrate of a polyalkylene terephthalate, a polyester, or mixtures thereof, and said crosslinked aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer further includes at least one of a conductive filler, silica, a plasticizer, an acid catalyst, a fluoropolymer, a polysiloxane, and mixtures thereof.

FIGURES

The following Figures are provided to further illustrate the transfer assist members and check films disclosed herein, and where the arrows when present illustrate the direction of movement of the various components shown.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A illustrate exemplary side views of the transfer assist member of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the transfer assist member assembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the transfer assist member petal of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of the check film or partially conductive film of the present disclosure.

EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed transfer assist members comprise a layer of, for example, a mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols, and the resulting crosslinked thermoset resins generated by the curing of the mixtures inclusive of partially conductive crosslinked melamine formaldehyde resins/polyester polyols, and more specifically, a partially conductive thermoset resin generated by the reaction and crosslinking of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols contained on a polymer substrate, and where the members apply pressure against a copy substrate, such as a sheet of paper, to create uniform contact between the copy substrate and a developed image formed on an imaging member, such as a photoconductor. The transfer assist member, such as for example, a blade presses the copy sheet into contact with at least the developed image on the photoconductive surface to substantially eliminate any spaces or gaps between the copy sheet and the developed image during transfer of the developed image from the photoconductive surface to the copy substrate.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the transfer assist member assembly of the present disclosure. More specifically, illustrated in FIG. 1 is an aluminum component 1 to secure the member, such as a blade (illustrated herein by the transfer assist member petal assembly 2), and which component 1, generated for example by extrusion processes, is attached to the transfer assist member petal assembly 2, and where the petal assembly 2 is comprised of the nine-layer blade member as shown in FIG. 3, and where the numeral or designation 3 (shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2), represents a stainless steel clamp, and the designation 4 (shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2), represents an aluminum rivet, whereby the clamp 3 and rivet 4 retain in position the petal assembly 2, between clamp 3 and aluminum component 1, and where 1C and 2C represent spaced-apart integral arms of component 1.

The corresponding FIG. 1A illustrates the disassembled components or form of the transfer assist members of the present disclosure where the designations 1, 2, 3, 4, 1C and 2C for this FIG. 1A are the same as those designations as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates another view of the transfer assist member assembly of the present disclosure, and where the designations 1, 2, 3, 4, for this Figure are the same as the designations as presented in FIG. 1, that is aluminum component 1 to secure the member, such as a blade, and which component is generated, for example, by extrusion processes, attached to the transfer assist member petal assembly 2, and where the petal assembly 2 comprises the five-layer blade member as shown in FIG. 3, and where numeral or designation 3 represents a stainless steel clamp, and designation 4 represents an aluminum rivet, and which clamp and rivet retain in position the petal assembly 2 between designations 3 and 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the components and compositions of the transfer assist member petal assembly of the present disclosure. More specifically, shown in FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the transfer assist member petal assembly 2 of the present disclosure. Specifically, the transfer assist member petal assembly 2 (shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2) comprises the check film layer 1 pa, which itself comprises a thermoplastic overcoat layer present on a polymer substrate, and as an example of such may thus include polymer layers 2 pa, 3 pa, and 4 pa. The transfer assist member petal assembly 2 further includes a top overcoat wear resistant layer 5 pa, and may also include optional adhesive layers 6 pa, 7 pa, 8 pa and 9 pa between the respective pairs of layers 1 pa and 2 pa, 2 pa and 3 pa, 3 pa and 4 pa, 4 pa and 5 pa, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates the components and compositions of the transfer assist member check films of the present disclosure. More specifically, shown in FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the check film 1 pa comprised of supporting substrate layer 17, a layer 16 comprised of a partially conductive thermoset resin 10 generated by the reaction and crosslinking of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols; and further comprised of optional conductive components or fillers 11, optional silicas 12, optional fluoropolymer particles 13, optional catalysts 14, and optional leveling agents 15.

Transfer Assist Member

Various mixtures of aminoplast resins 10A and polyester polyol resins 10B can be selected for the disclosed transfer assist members, such as check film layer of FIG. 4, designation 16, of the disclosed transfer assist members.

The cured crosslinked mixture products thereof are in embodiments partially conductive having a resistance intermediate between insulators and conductors, such as for example, a resistance of from about 1×10⁷ to about 9.99×10¹⁰ ohm, from about 1×10⁸ to about 9.99×10⁸ ohm, from about 1×10⁷ to about 9.99×10⁸ ohm, from about 1×10⁷ to about 9.99×10⁹, and from about 1×10⁸ ohm to about 9.99×10⁹ ohm can be selected for the transfer assist members disclosed herein, and which resistance can be determined or measured by a Resistance Meter. The disclosed glass transition temperatures can be determined by a number of known methods, and more specifically, such as by Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC). For the disclosed molecular weights, such as M_(w) (weight average) and M_(n) (number average), can be determined by a number of known methods, and more specifically by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).

Aminoplast Resin Examples

Aminoplast resin means, for example, amino resins generated from nitrogen-containing substances and formaldehyde, wherein the nitrogen-containing substance includes melamines, urea, benzoguanamines and glycolurils.

Urea resin examples are amino resins made from urea and formaldehyde. Urea resins are known under various trade names, including but not limited to CYMEL™, BEETLE™, UFRM, DYNOMIN™, BECKAMINE™, and AMIREME™. Examples of benzoguanamine resins are amino resins prepared from benzoguanamine and formaldehyde. Benzoguanamine resins are known under various trade names, including but not limited to CYMEL™, BEETLE™, and UFORMITET™.

Examples of glycoluril resins includes amino resins prepared from glycoluril and formaldehyde. Glycoluril resins are known under various trade names, including but not limited to CYMEL™, and POWDERLINK™.

Melamine resins means amino resins obtained from melamine and formaldehyde. These melamine resins are known under various trade names, including but not limited to CYMEL™, BEETLE™, DYNOMIN™, BECKAMINET™, UFR™, BAKELITE™, ISOMIN™, MELAICAR™, MELBRITE™, MELMEXT™, MELOPAS™, RESART™, and ULTRAPAST™.

Melamine resin examples include those resins as represented by the following formula/structure

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with, for example, from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, or from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.

The melamine resin, which may be water-soluble, dispersible or non-dispersible, includes highly alkylated/alkoxylated, partially alkylated/alkoxylated, or mixed alkylated/alkoxylated melamines. Examples of these melamine resins include highly methylated melamine resins such as CYMEL® 303LF, 303ULF, 300; amino melamine resins such as CYMEL® 323, 325, 327 328, 385; partially methylated melamine resins such as CYMEL® 373, 370, 380; high solids mixed ether melamine resins such as CYMEL® 1130, 1133, 1141, 1161, 1168, 202; butylated melamine resins such as MELMAC® 243-3, CYMEL® 247-10, 1156, MB-94, 1158, MI-97-IX, all commercially available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV.

More specifically, the melamine resin can be represented by the following formula/structure

Examples of urea resins include those as represented by the following formula/structure

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with, for example, from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, or from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.

Examples of urea resins include methylated, n-butylated or isobutylated resins, such as CYMEL® U-64, U-65, UM-15; n-butylated urea resins such as CYMEL® UM-80, U-1054, UB-30-B, U-21-511, U-93-210, U-2,6-10-LF, U-227-8, U-1050-10, U-1052-8, UB-25-BE; iso-butylated urea resins such as CYMEL™ U-662, UI-19-I, U-663, U-1051, UI-21E, UI-27-EI, UI-38-I, all commercially available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV.

Benzoguanamine resin examples are represented by the following formula/structure

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, or from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, inclusive of CYMEL® 1123, 5010, all commercially available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV.

Glycoluril resin examples are represented by the following formula/structure

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, inclusive of methylated, n-butylated or isobutylated. Examples of these glycoluril resins include CYMEL® 1170, 1171, 1172, all commercially available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV.

Polyester Polyols

Polyester polyols are known and can be generated by the polycondensation of a diacid with a diol or a polyol. The diol or polyol is usually in excess in mole ratio to the diacid. The polyester polyol can be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and aliphatic or aromatic.

Diol means a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl groups. Examples of diols that can be used in the condensation polymerization include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, bisphenol A, Z, C, S and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Polyol means a chemical compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups. Examples of polyols that can be used in the condensation polymerization include trimethylol propane, glycerin, pentaerythritol, sugar alcohols, such as sucrose, maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of diacids that can be used in the condensation polymerization include saturated dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedioic acid and dodecanedioic acid; unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, traumatic acid and muconic acid; aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid, mixtures thereof, and the like.

Polyester polyols that may be selected for the disclosed transfer assist members possess, for example, a hydroxyl functionality of from about 2 to about 6, from about 2 to about 4, or from about 2 to about 3; a hydroxyl number of from about 20 to about 400 mg KOH/g, from about 40 to about 350 mg KOH/g, or from about 50 to about 300 mg KOH/g; a number average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 50,000, or from about 1,000 to about 30,000, and a weight average molecular weight of from about 600 to about 200,000, or from about 1,500 to about 100,000 as determined by a number of known methods, and more specifically, by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).

Examples of polyester polyols examples that can be selected for the disclosed transfer assist members include polyethylene adipate diol, polyethylene adipate-co-butylene adipate diol, polybutylene adipate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene adipate)diol, polyhexene adipate diol, polyethylene succinate diol, polyethylene succinate-co-butylene succinate diol, polybutylene succinate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene succinate)diol, polyhexene succinate diol, polyethylene phthalate diol, polyethylene phthalate-co-butylene phthalate diol, polybutylene phthalate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene phthalate)diol, polyhexene phthalate diol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) adipate polyol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) succinate polyol, or poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) phthalate polyol, and copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof.

Commercially available polyester polyol examples that can be selected for the disclosed transfer assist members include AROPLAZ® 1720-Z-60 (hydroxyl number=50 mg KOH/g), 5725-Z-65 (hydroxyl number=30 mg KOH/g), 6025-Z-65 (hydroxyl number=40 mg KOH/g), 6126-Z-65 (hydroxyl number=40 mg KOH/g), 6820-K4-90 (hydroxyl number=140 mg KOH/g), 91-341 (hydroxyl number=30 mg KOH/g), 6755-A6-80, 4294 (hydroxyl number=288 mg KOH/g), 6420 (hydroxyl number=270 mg KOH/g), all available from Reichhold Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC; DESMOPHEN® 2000 (a polyethylene adipate diol, hydroxyl number=52-58 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,000), 2001K (a polyethylene/polybutylene adipate diol, hydroxyl number=52 to 58 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,000), 2502 (a polybutylene adipate diol, hydroxyl number=54 to 58 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,000), 2505 (a polybutylene adipate diol, hydroxyl number=26 to 30 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=4,000), S-1011-45 (hydroxyl number=42 to 48 mg KOH/g), 1700, 1800, all available from Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Pittsburg, Pa.; DIOREZ™ 750, PR3, 756LH, 756, 755, 8018, 8045, 8040, 620/02, 8034, 8024, 770/07, 720/01, 7194, 7097, 7040, 687, 610, 810, PR1, 7988012, 770/02, 8035, 770/00, all available from The Dow Chemical company, Midland, Mich.; STEPANPOL® [a poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene phthalate)diol] PC-020-01 (hydroxyl number=20 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=5,600), PC-030-01 (hydroxyl number=30 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=3,740), PD-56 (hydroxyl number=56 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,000), PDP-70 (hydroxyl number=70 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=1,600), PN-110 (hydroxyl number=110 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=1,020), PC-125-01 (hydroxyl number=125 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=900), 130-01 (hydroxyl number=130 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=660), PC-160-01 (hydroxyl number=160 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=750), PC-165-01 (hydroxyl number=165 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=680), PS-1752 (hydroxyl number=175 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=640), PD-195 (hydroxyl number=200 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=600), AA-52 (hydroxyl number=52 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,800), AA-53 (hydroxyl number=52 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,200), AA-60 (hydroxyl number=60 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,800), AA-61 (hydroxyl number=60 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,755), AA-58 (hydroxyl number=61 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=2,525), PF-672 (hydroxyl number=67 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=1,675), PS-70L (hydroxyl number=70 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=1,600), PS-1552 (hydroxyl number=155 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=720), PS-1752 (hydroxyl number=175 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=640), AA-220 (hydroxyl number=225 mg KOH/g, M_(n)=500), all available from STEPAN Company; developmental polyester polyols from Myriant, Quincy, Mass. such as DGTA-56 (branched, functionality=2.4, hydroxyl number=61 mg KOH/g), DGTB-56 (branched, functionality=2.7, hydroxyl number=64 mg KOH/g), EG-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=107 mg KOH/g), DG-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=113 mg KOH/g), HD-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=108 mg KOH/g), APTA-56 (branched, functionality=2.4, hydroxyl number=76 mg KOH/g), APTB-56 (branched, functionality=2.7, hydroxyl number=60 mg KOH/g), APEG-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=90 mg KOH/g), APDG-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=116 mg KOH/g), APHD-110 (linear, functionality=2.0, hydroxyl number=95 mg KOH/g).

Subsequent to curing of the mixture of the aminoplast and polyester polyol resins, there results a crosslinked product, and where the curing can be accomplished by heating at temperatures equal to or exceeding about 80° C. for extended time periods. More specifically the curing of the disclosed resin mixture can be accomplished at various suitable temperatures, such as for example, from about 80 to about 220° C., or from about 100 to about 180° C. for a period of from about 1 to about 120 minutes, or from about 3 to about 40 minutes. There results a crosslinked product of the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols resins, and where the crosslinked value is from about 40 to about 100 percent, from about 50 to about 95 percent, from about 75 to about 100 percent, or from about 80 to about 98 percent, and which crosslinking percentage was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).

The aminoplast resins and polyester polyols are present in the disclosed transfer assist members in a number of differing effective amounts, such as for example, a total of 100 percent in those situations when no fillers and other optional components, such as plasticizers and silicas, are present from about 90 to about 99 weight percent, from about 80 to about 90 weight percent, from about 65 to about 75 weight percent, or from about 50 to about 60 weight percent providing the total percent of components present is about 100 percent, and wherein the weight percent is based on the total solids, such as the solids of the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols, the conductive component or filler, the plasticizer when present, silica when present, acid catalyst when present, and the fluoropolymers when present.

The crosslinked containing mixture of the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols overcoat film can be included in a number of thicknesses, such as from about 0.1 to about 50 microns, from about 1 to about 40 microns, or from about 5 to about 20 microns.

Optional Conductive Fillers

The crosslinked mixture of the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols containing layer can further comprise optional conductive components such as known carbon forms, like carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotube, fullerene, graphene and the like; metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, conducting polymers such as polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole, mixtures thereof, and the like.

Examples of carbon black conductive filler components that can be selected for incorporation into the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols crosslinked mixture layer illustrated herein include Ketjenblack® carbon blacks available from AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals, special black 4 (B.E.T. surface area=180 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.8 ml/g, primary particle diameter=25 nanometers) available from Evonik-Degussa, special black 5 (B.E.T. surface area=240 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.41 ml/g, primary particle diameter=20 nanometers), color black FW1 (B.E.T. surface area=320 m²/g, DBP absorption=2.89 ml/g, primary particle diameter=13 nanometers), color black FW2 (B.E.T. surface area=460 m²/g, DBP absorption=4.82 ml/g, primary particle diameter=13 nanometers), color black FW200 (B.E.T. surface area=460 m²/g, DBP absorption=4.6 ml/g, primary particle diameter=13 nanometers), all available from Evonik-Degussa; VULCAN® carbon blacks, REGAL® carbon blacks, MONARCH® carbon blacks, EMPEROR® carbon blacks, and BLACK PEARLS® carbon blacks available from Cabot Corporation. Specific examples of conductive carbon blacks are BLACK PEARLS® 1000 (B.E.T. surface area=343 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.05 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 880 (B.E.T. surface area=240 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.06 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 800 (B.E.T. surface area=230 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.68 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® L (B.E.T. surface area=138 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.61 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 570 (B.E.T. surface area=110 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.14 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 170 (B.E.T. surface area=35 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.22 ml/g), EMPEROR® 1200, EMPEROR® 1600, VULCAN® XC72 (B.E.T. surface area=254 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.76 ml/g), VULCAN® XC72R (fluffy form of VULCAN® XC72), VULCAN® XC605, VULCAN® XC305, REGAL® 660 (B.E.T. surface area=112 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.59 ml/g), REGAL® 400 (B.E.T. surface area=96 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.69 ml/g), REGAL® 330 (B.E.T. surface area=94 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.71 ml/g), MONARCH® 880 (B.E.T. surface area=220 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.05 ml/g, primary particle diameter=16 nanometers), and MONARCH® 1000 (B.E.T. surface area=343 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.05 ml/g, primary particle diameter=16 nanometers); special carbon blacks available from Evonik Incorporated; and Channel carbon blacks available from Evonik-Degussa. Other known suitable carbon blacks not specifically disclosed herein may be selected as the filler or conductive component.

Examples of polyaniline fillers that can be selected for incorporation into the disclosed aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer are PANIPOL™ F, commercially available from Panipol Oy, Finland; and known lignosulfonic acid grafted polyanilines. These polyanilines usually have a relatively small particle size diameter of, for example, from about 0.5 to about 5 microns; from about 1.1 to about 2.3 microns, or from about 1.5 to about 1.9 microns.

Metal oxide fillers that can be selected for the disclosed aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer include, for example, tin oxide, antimony doped tin oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide, and the like.

When present, the filler and fillers can be selected in an amount of, for example, from about 1 to about 70 weight percent, from about 3 to about 40 weight percent, from about 4 to about 30 weight percent, from about 10 to about 30 percent, from about 3 to about 30 weight percent, from about 8 to about 25 weight percent, or from about 13 to about 20 weight percent of the total solids based on the crosslinked mixture aminoplast resins and polyester polyols, and the conductive component or filler.

Optional Plasticizers

Optional plasticizers, which can be considered plasticizers that primarily increase the plasticity or fluidity of a material, selected for the disclosed transfer assist members, include, diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, polypropylene glycol dibenzoate, di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, di-2-propyl heptyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, di-2-ethyl hexyl terephthalate and other known suitable plasticizers. The plasticizers can be utilized in various effective amounts, such as for example, from about 0.1 to about 30 weight percent, from about 1 to about 20 weight percent, and from about 3 to about 15 weight percent.

Optional Silicas

Optional silica examples, which can contribute to the wear resistant properties of the members and blades illustrated herein, include silica, fumed silicas, surface treated silicas, other known silicas, such as AEROSIL R972®, mixtures thereof, and the like. The silicas are selected in various effective amounts, such as for example, from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent, from about 1 to about 15 weight percent, and from about 2 to about 10 weight percent.

Optional Fluoropolymer Particles

Optional fluoropolymers particles, which can contribute to the wear resistant properties of the members and blades illustrated herein, include tetrafluoroethylene polymers (PTFE), trifluorochloroethylene polymers, hexafluoropropylene polymers, vinyl fluoride polymers, vinylidene fluoride polymers, difluorodichloroethylene polymers or copolymers thereof. The fluoropolymer particles are selected in various effective amounts, such as for example, from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent, from about 1 to about 15 weight percent, and from about 2 to about 10 weight percent.

Optional Leveling Agents

Optional leveling agent examples, which can contribute to the disclosed transfer assist members smoothness characteristics, such as enabling smooth coating surfaces with minimal or no blemishes or protrusions, of the members and blades illustrated herein include polysiloxane polymers or fluoropolymers. The optional polysiloxane polymers include, for example, a polyester modified polydimethylsiloxane with the trade name of BYK® 310 (about 25 weight percent in xylene) and BYK® 370 (about 25 weight percent in xylene/alkylbenzenes/cyclohexanone/monophenylglycol=75/11/7/7); a polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane, with the trade name of BYK® 333, BYK® 330 (about 51 weight percent in methoxypropylacetate) and BYK® 344 (about 52.3 weight percent in xylene/isobutanol=80/20), BYK®-SILCLEAN 3710 and 3720 (about 25 weight percent in methoxypropanol); a polyacrylate modified polydimethylsiloxane, with the trade name of BYK®-SILCLEAN 3700 (about 25 weight percent in methoxypropylacetate); or a polyester polyether modified polydimethylsiloxane, with the trade name of BYK® 375 (about 25 weight percent in di-propylene glycol monomethyl ether), all commercially available from BYK Chemical. The leveling agents are selected in various effective amounts, such as for example, from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent, from about 0.1 to about 6 weight percent, and from about 0.5 to about 4 weight percent.

Optional Acid Catalysts

Examples of optional acid catalysts selected are, for example, p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA), dinonyl naphthalene disulfonic acid (DNNDSA), dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid (DNNSA), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DDBSA), alkyl acid phosphate, phenyl acid phosphate, oxalic acid, maleic acid, carbolic acid, ascorbic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, methane sulfonic acid, and the like, and mixtures thereof, and more specifically, p-toluene sulfonic acid.

Commercially available acid catalyst examples include p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) types and their blocked forms such as CYCAT® 4040, 4045, available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV, and K-CURE® 1040, 1040W, NACURE® XP-357, 2107, 2500, 2501, 2522, 2530, 2547, 2558, available from King Industries, Inc., Science Road, CT; dinonyl naphthalene disulfonic acid (DNNDSA) types and their blocked forms such as CYCAT® 500, available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV, and NACURE® 155, X49-110, 3525, 3327, 3483, available from King Industries, Inc., Science Road, CT; dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid (DNNSA) types and their blocked forms such as NACURE® 1051, 1323, 1419, 1557, 1953, available from King Industries, Inc., Science Road, CT; dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DDBSA) types and their blocked forms such as CYCAT® 600, available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV, and NACURE® 5076, 5225, 5414, 5528, 5925, available from King Industries, Inc., Science Road, CT; acid phosphate types and their blocked forms such as CYCAT® 296-9, available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV, and NACURE® 4054, XC-C207, 4167, XP-297, 4575, available from King Industries, Inc., Science Road, CT.

The amount of acid catalyst is, for example, from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent, from about 0.1 to about 8 weight percent, from about 1 to about 5 weight percent, or from about 1 to about 3 weight percent based on the solids present. The primary purposes of the catalysts are to assist in the crosslinking of the disclosed aminoplast and polyester polyol mixtures.

Substrates

The mixtures of the aminoplast resins and polyester polyols having incorporated therein the components as illustrated herein, such as fillers, are included on a supporting substrate, such as the substrate layer 17 of FIG. 4, examples of which are polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyamides, polyetherimides, polyamideimides, polyimides, polyphenyl sulfides, polyether ether ketones, polysulfones, polycarbonates, polyvinyl halides, polyolefins, mixtures thereof, and the like. Suitable substrate examples include MYLAR®, MELINEX®, TEIJIN®, TETORON®, and TEONEX®, considered to be bi-axially oriented polyester films, which are commercially available in a variety of finishes and thicknesses. These and other similar polymers are available from E.I. DuPont Company or SKC Incorporated. The substrate can be of a number of different thicknesses, such as from about 25 to about 250 microns, from about 50 to about 200 microns, or from about 75 to about 150 microns, and where the check film total thickness is, for example, from about 1 to about 10 mils, from about 1 to about 8 mils, from about 1 to about 5 mils, from about 2 to about 4 mils, and more specifically, about 3.8 mils, as determined by known means such as a Permascope.

Top Layer

The top or wear resistant bonded layer designated, for example; by the numeral 5 pa, illustrated in FIG. 3, can be comprised of various suitable known and commercially available materials, such as polyolefins like ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMW), a wear-resistant plastic with a low coefficient of friction, excellent impact strength, and possessing chemical and moisture resistance. UHMW comprises long chains of polyethylene of the formula illustrated below, which aligns in the same direction, and derives its strength largely from the length of each individual molecule (chain)

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments of at least about 100,000, and more specifically, from about 100,000 to about 300,000, and from about 150,000 to about 225,000.

The thickness of the disclosed top layer can vary depending, for example, on the thicknesses of the other layers that may be present and the components in each layer. Thus, for example, the thicknesses of the top wear resistant layer can vary of from about 1 to about 20 mils, from about 1 mil to about 15 mils, from about 2 to about 10 mils, or from about 1 mil to about 5 mils as determined by known means such as a Permascope.

Optional Adhesives

Optional adhesive layers designated, for example, as 6 pa, 7 pa, 8 pa, and 9 pa in FIG. 3 can be included between each of the transfer assist member layers, or partially included at the edges between each of the member layers. Adhesives may be used in the member assembly, and the thickness of each of the adhesive layers varies of, for example, from about 1 to about 50 millimeters, from about 10 to about 40 millimeters, or from about 15 to about 25 millimeters as determined by known means such as a Permascope.

The optional adhesive layers may also be included between each of the layers of the transfer assist members of FIG. 3, such as on the vertical sides between the substrate side of layer 1 pa and layer 2 pa, layers 2 pa and 3 pa, layers 3 pa and 4 pa, and on the horizontal sides between layer 4 pa and the top wear layer 5 pa. The horizontal sides of layers 1 pa, 2 pa, 3 pa, and 4 pa are usually not bonded together. A number of known adhesives can be selected for each adhesive layer, inclusive of suitable polyesters, a 3M™ Double Coated Tape 444, which is a 3.9 mils thick, 300 high tack acrylic adhesive with a 0.5 mil thick polyester carrier, white densified Kraft paper liner (55 lbs), mixtures thereof, and the like.

Specific embodiments will now be described in detail. These examples are intended to be illustrative, and not limited to the materials, conditions, or process parameters set forth in these embodiments. All parts are percentages by solid weight unless otherwise indicated.

Example I

There was prepared a transfer assist blade check film as follows:

Preparation of the Partially Conductive Coating Dispersion

Special Black 4 (a carbon black available from Orion Chemicals), AROPLAZ®-6755-A6-80 (a polyester polyol available from Reichhold Chemicals), CYMEL® 303LF (a melamine resin available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV), p-toluenesulfonic acid (an acid catalyst available from Aldrich Chemicals), SILCLEAN® 3700 (a silicone leveling agent available from BYK Chemie), and UNIPLEX® 400 (a polypropylene glycol dibenzoate plasticizer available from UNITEX Chemical) were mixed in a weight ratio of about 4.2/62.5/20.8/1.7/2.5/8.3 in isopropanol, about 20 weight percent solids, via agitation to obtain a mixture. The mixture resulting was then ball milled with 2 millimeters stainless steel shots at 200 rpm for 20 hours. The above prepared dispersion was filtered through a 20 micron NYLON cloth filter to obtain the partially conductive coating dispersion.

The above prepared coating dispersion was coated on a 4 mils thick PET film via either a lab draw bar coater or a production extrusion coater, followed by subsequently curing the coating at 125° C. for 3 minutes to obtain a flat 8-micron crosslinked overcoat layer on the PET check film.

The resistance of the above prepared crosslinked overcoat, with a crosslinking percentage of about 80, which percentage was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and comprising carbon black/polyester polyol/melamine resin/acid catalyst/leveling agent/plasticizer in a weight ratio of 4.2/62.5/20.8/1.7/2.5/8.3 was determined by a Trek Model 152-1 Resistance Meter to be about at 5.0×10⁸ ohm, and was very uniform across the entire 2.5 inch×17 inch sample strip.

The aging of the coating dispersion was also studied, and the overcoat from the 7-day aged coating dispersion showed a very similar resistance as above to that from the freshly prepared coating dispersion. In addition, by changing the carbon black loading from 4 weight percent to 4.4 weight percent this did not result in a resistance change.

Preparation of the Petal Assembly (Blade Material Comprising Five Layers) of the Transfer Assist Member

The above prepared disclosed check film (8 micron thick partially conductive crosslinked overcoat containing mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer on the 4 mils thick PET polymer layer), and three separate 5 mils thick MYLAR® PET films were cut into 4 millimeters by 38 millimeters strips, and the strips were aligned in the sequence of MYLAR® PET film, MYLAR® PET film, MYLAR® PET film, with the disclosed check film/PET substrate facing the MYLAR® PET film. Each adjacent pair of the aforementioned layers were bonded together using 3M™ Double Coated Tape 444 in between from the edges of the long sides to about 2.5 millimeters inside. The partially bonded layers were folded rendering the 2.5 millimeters wide bonded layers into a vertical position and the 1.5 millimeters wide unbounded layers into a horizontal position.

The UHMW polyethylene, obtained from E.I. DuPont, believed to be of the following formula/structure, wear resistant layer was then bonded to the horizontal section of the top MYLAR® PET film in a thickness of about 7 microns. The horizontal sections of the layers were then cut into about 40 smaller segments with unique shapes such as in rectangular shapes

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments of from about 150,000 to about 225,000. The thickness of this layer was about 5 mils as determined by a Permascope.

Preparation of the Transfer Assist Member Assembly

The aluminum extruded component, such as component 1 of FIG. 1, was then attached to the above transfer assist member petal assembly, and then attached to the transfer assist member stainless steel clamp assembly, and the transfer assist member aluminum rivet illustrated herein.

Example II

There was prepared a transfer assist blade check film in substantial accordance with Example I as follows:

Preparation of the Partially Conductive Coating Dispersion

EMPEROR® 1200B (a carbon black available from Cabot), AROPLAZ®-6755-A6-80 (a polyester polyol available from Reichhold Chemicals), CYMEL® 303ULF (a melamine resin available from Allnex Belgium SA/NV), NACURE® XP-357 (a blocked p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst available from King Industries), and SILCLEAN® 3700 (a silicone leveling agent available from BYK Chemie) were mixed in a weight ratio of about 4.5/68.2/22.7/1.8/2.8 in methylene chloride, about 20 weight percent solids via agitation to obtain a mixture. The mixture was then ball milled with 2 millimeters stainless steel shots at 200 rpm for 20 hours. Subsequently, the resulting dispersion was filtered through a 20 micron NYLON cloth filter to obtain the partially conductive coating dispersion.

The above prepared coating dispersion was coated on a 4 mils thick PET film via either a lab draw bar coater or a production extrusion coater, followed by subsequently curing the coating at 140° C. for 20 minutes to obtain a flat 15 micron crosslinked overcoat layer on the PET check film. Each adjacent pair of the aforementioned layers were bonded together using 3M™ Double Coated Tape 444 in between from the edges of the long sides to about 2.5 millimeters inside. The partially bonded layers were folded rendering the 2.5 millimeters wide bonded layers into a vertical position, and the 1.5 millimeters wide unbounded layers into a horizontal position.

The resistance of the above prepared crosslinked overcoat, with a crosslinking percentage of about 95, which percentage was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and comprising carbon black/polyester polyol/melamine resin/acid catalyst/leveling agent in a weight ratio 4.5/68.2/22.7/1.8/2.8 was measured by a Resistance Meter to be about at 3.5×10⁸ ohm, and was very uniform across the entire 2.5 inch×17 inch sample strip. Changing the carbon black loading from 4.3 weight percent to 4.7 weight percent did not result in a resistance change.

The transfer assist member was then prepared by substantially repeating the appropriate parts of Example I as follows:

Preparation of the Petal Assembly (Blade Material Comprising Five Layers of Plastics) of the Transfer Assist Member

The above prepared disclosed check film (15 microns thick partially conductive crosslinked aminoplast resin and polyester polyol resin mixture layer on a 4 mils thick PET layer), and three 5 mils thick MYLAR® PET films were cut into 4 millimeters by 38 millimeters strips, and the strips were aligned in the sequence of MYLAR® PET film, MYLAR® PET film, MYLAR® PET film and the disclosed check film with the PET substrate facing the MYLAR® PET film. The four layers were bonded together using 3M™ Double Coated Tape 444 in between from the edges of the long sides to about 2.5 millimeters inside. The partially bonded layers were folded rendering the 2.5 millimeters wide bonded layers in a vertical position and the 1.5 millimeters wide unbounded layers in a horizontal position.

UHMW polyethylene, obtained from E.I. DuPont, believed to be of the following formula/structure wear resistant layer was then bonded to the horizontal section of the top MYLAR® PET film. The horizontal segments of the above layers were then cut into about 40 smaller segments with rectangular shapes

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments of from about 150,000 to about 225,000. The thickness of this layer was about 10 mils as determined by a Permascope.

The aluminum extruded component 1 of FIG. 1 was then attached to the above transfer assist member petal assembly, and then attached to the transfer assist member stainless steel clamp assembly by the transfer assist member aluminum rivet as illustrated herein.

The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others. Unless specifically recited in a claim, steps or components of claims should not be implied or imported from the specification or any other claims as to any particular order, number, position, size, shape, angle, color, or material. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transfer assist member comprising a plurality of layers, one of said layers being a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyol resins on a polymer support layer.
 2. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said crosslinked mixture is accomplished by curing a mixture of said aminoplast resins and said polyester polyol resins, and where crosslinking of said aminoplast and polyol resins is from about 75 to about 100 percent.
 3. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said check film layer further includes a conductive component of carbon black.
 4. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said crosslinked mixture layer further includes carbon black, graphite, silica, polytetrafluoroethylene, a plasticizer, a catalyst, a polysiloxane copolymer, or mixtures thereof.
 5. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 4 wherein said crosslinked mixture has a resistance of from about 1×10⁷ to about 9.99×10⁹ ohm as measured by a Resistance Meter.
 6. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polymer support layer is comprised of a polyester, a polyamide, a polyetherimide, a polyamideimide, a polyimide, a polyphenyl sulfide, a polyether ether ketone, a polysulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyvinyl halide, a polyolefin, or mixtures thereof.
 7. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said polymer support layer is comprised of a polyethylene terephthalate or a polyethylene naphthalate.
 8. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said crosslinked mixture further includes a conductive component of carbon black, graphite, metal oxide, polyaniline, polythiophene, polypyrrole, or mixtures thereof, silica, polytetrafluoroethylene, acid catalyst, and plasticizer, and said polymer support layer is comprised of a polyethylene terephthalate or a polyethylene naphthalate.
 9. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 8 wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, diallyl phthalate, polypropylene glycol dibenzoate, di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, di-2-propyl heptyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, and di-2-ethyl hexyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.
 10. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein the plurality of layers is from about 2 to about 10 layers.
 11. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of layers is comprised of at least three separate polymer layers comprising a bottom polymer layer, a middle polymer layer, and a top polymer layer, wherein said bottom polymer layer is in contact with the polymer support layer of said check film layer, and wherein a single wear resistant layer is in contact with said top polymer layer.
 12. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 further including a wear resistant layer comprised of a polyethylene.
 13. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 12 wherein said wear resistant polyethylene layer is comprised of a high molecular weight polyethylene as represented by the following formula/structure

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments of from about 100,000 to about 300,000, and wherein there is present an adhesive layer situated between each adjacent pair of said plurality of layers.
 14. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aminoplast resin is a melamine formaldehyde resin, a urea formaldehyde resin, a benzoguanamine formaldehyde resin, or a glycoluril formaldehyde resin.
 15. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 1 wherein the polyester polyol is comprised of a condensation polymer derived from an alcohol and an acid, and said alcohol is one of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, bisphenol A, Z, C, S, trimethylol propane, glycerin, pentaerythritol, and sugar alcohols, said acid is one of adipic acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, traumatic acid, and muconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 16. A composite toner transfer assist blade comprising a plurality of bonded layers and a bonded check film layer comprised of a partially conductive crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer contained on a polymer layer substrate of a polyalkylene terephthalate, a polyester, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the top layer of said plurality of layers is a wear resistant layer, wherein said aminoplast resin is selected from the group consisting of a melamine formaldehyde resin, a urea formaldehyde resin, a benzoguanamine formaldehyde resin, and a glycoluril formaldehyde resin, and said polyester polyol is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene adipate diol, polyethylene adipate-co-butylene adipate diol, polybutylene adipate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene adipate)diol, polyhexene adipate diol, polyethylene succinate diol, polyethylene succinate-co-butylene succinate diol, polybutylene succinate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene succinate)diol, polyhexene succinate diol, polyethylene phthalate diol, polyethylene phthalate-co-butylene phthalate diol, polybutylene phthalate diol, poly(2,2′-oxydiethylene phthalate)diol, polyhexene phthalate diol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) adipate polyol, poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) succinate polyol, or poly(diethylene glycol-co-trimethylol propane) phthalate polyol, and mixtures thereof, further including conductive components, acid catalysts, silicas, plasticizers, fluoropolymer particles of tetrafluoroethylene polymers, trifluorochloroethylene polymers, hexafluoropropylene polymers, vinyl fluoride polymers, vinylidene fluoride polymers, difluorodichloroethylene polymers polysiloxane polymers, and mixtures thereof.
 17. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 16 wherein said plurality of layers are comprised of three polyester layers situated between and in contact with said check film layer and said wear resistant layer.
 18. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 16 wherein said wear resistant layer is comprised of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as represented by the following formula/structure

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments from about 125,000 to about 250,000, and wherein there are present adhesive layers situated between said wear resistant layer and said check film.
 19. A transfer assist member in accordance with claim 16 wherein said resin containing mixture is partially conductive with a resistance of from about 1×10⁷ to about 9.99×10⁹ ohm, and wherein said resin mixture is present in amount of from about 65 to about 100 weight percent based on the total solids, said layer being of a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 50 microns, said filler being present in an amount of from about 3 to about 40 weight percent, said silica being present in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent, said fluoropolymer being present in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 weight percent, and said leveling being present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent, said catalyst being selected in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, and wherein said wear resistant layer is of a thickness of from about 1 to about 20 mils.
 20. A xerographic process for providing substantially uniform contact between a copy substrate and a toner developed image located on an imaging member, comprising a toner transfer flexible assist blade that comprises a plurality of adhesive bonded layers, wherein said flexible transfer assist blade is adapted to move from a non-operative position spaced from the imaging member to an operative position in contact with the copy substrate on the imaging member, applying pressure against the copy substrate in a direction toward the imaging member, and wherein said plurality of layers comprise a wear resistant layer, and a check film layer comprised of a crosslinked mixture of aminoplast resins and polyester polyols present on a polymer substrate of a polyalkylene terephthalate, a polyester, or mixtures thereof, and said crosslinked aminoplast resins and polyester polyols layer further includes at least one of a conductive filler, silica, a plasticizer, an acid catalyst, a fluoropolymer, a polysiloxane, and mixtures thereof.
 21. A xerographic process in accordance with claim 20 wherein said plurality of layers are comprised of three polyester layers situated between said check film and said wear resistant layer, and wherein said wear resistant layer is comprised of a polyethylene as represented by the following formula/structure

wherein n represents the number of repeating segments of from about 125,000 to about 250,000, and wherein from about 95 to about 100 percent of the toner developed image is transferred to said copy substrate comprised of paper. 